Let’s begin from the start – I used to be born a Newcastle United fan in 1967, 1 mile from the bottom!
1969, I bear in mind my Dad coming dwelling ecstatic from the Rangers Festivals Cup video games. He advised the story that the Rangers followers tried to tip the NUFC followers bus he was on, over, in Glasgow!
My first sport was 1970.
I used to be stopped from going for some time as was singing songs in regards to the referee and his parentage. I used to be too younger to grasp the phrases however my Mam was not impressed!
I grew up initially within the Leazes Finish. I requested my Dad if we too might run on the pitch in 1974 v Nottingham Forest. My Dad being a probation officer mentioned no!
I began going to away video games with my Dad. Sunderland and Boro away had been at all times fascinating!
The Leazes Finish grew to become uncovered. I began going with my mates to the Gallowgate finish. We had been within the scoreboard part.
I used to be there when Darren (RIP) would lead the singing, interspersed with Tommy and his “Little white bull” renditions.
I bear in mind crowds of 10,000. I used to be one of many 10,000 who at all times turned up, even when family and friends stopped going.
1980 being approached by Newcastle scouts to trial for NUFC. Sporting the NUFC strip and enjoying proper again!!
I used to be there for Kevin Keegan first time and sucking the ball into the Gallowgate finish purpose.
I used to be at Anfield for the Keegan FA Cup match. I heard the followers singing “throw the seats out for the lads.” My seat (further value) was already on the pitch once I received into the bottom!
I used to be at many away video games. I bear in mind Huddersfield away and followers within the floodlights. Tommy on his mate’s shoulder mimicking the police escort on their horses.
I bear in mind the unhealthy instances, soccer specials to the away grounds. Pitched battles outdoors Maine Street Kippax, getting attacked outdoors Anfield, prepare getting bricked at Blackburn, spotters at Ayresome Park.
I used to be there within the Fullwell finish twice for Sunderland away. Not that sport..
Standing within the Gallowgate finish, wind rain and snow!!
Wading by the bogs, getting a heat leg within the crowd from somebody behind. Studying it’s good to face with the barrier to your again reasonably than in entrance of you, particularly when the gang surged and/or a purpose occurred.
1986 I moved to Scotland. I’d proceed to journey to dwelling and away video games.
Nineteen Nineties I purchased my first season ticket, travelling repeatedly from Scotland to the video games. I shared it with family and friends once I couldn’t go.
1999 I fell 200 ft off Ben Nevis and though almost died, managed to drag by. Annoyingly, I misplaced many recollections which typically come again when mates remind me. I actually can’t bear in mind the entertainer years!!
I used to be within the Previous George and mates mentioned bear in mind we met right here earlier than the Tino Barcelona match. I nonetheless can’t keep in mind that one!
2002 I transfer to the SE of England. No mountains. Useful for away journeys however tougher for St. James’ Park. I now attend extra away video games than dwelling video games.
2003 I used to be at Inter Millan away. Solano hits the crossbar, Shearer opens the scoring, Vieri equalises for Inter, Shearer restores Newcastle’s lead after which Cordoba equalises for Inter. I used to be within the Canal space the place the singing began “Have you ever ever seen a Mackem in Milan?”
I’d at the moment typically get tickets from a Newcastle participant who was married to a member of the family. I went to his field at St. James’ Park, additionally the gamers’ wives’ field to look at dwelling video games and a number of away sport tickets. I’d give my ticket to household and mates.
Ashley! Season ticket stopped!! At this level I concentrated totally on away video games.
2009 My son who was born (2003) within the SE of England asks me “Dad, why do I assist Newcastle?” His mates being Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, West Ham and so on.
My reply “your Dad is a Geordie, that makes you a Geordie.”
“Okay Dad” he says!!
Taking my son and daughter to the video games in the course of the Ashley period. Grim instances. Keep in mind my teaching chat to them at Chelsea away as follows (1) Anticipate to get overwhelmed, (2) Have a good time like loopy if we rating a purpose (3) be ecstatic if we get a draw (4) be euphoric if we win!!
By my divorce, the Newcastle participant is now not a part of the household. I get tickets from mates who’ve saved their season tickets by the Ashley period.
Southend away pre-season pleasant, Plymouth away in my youth.
Speaking to lads in Newcastle tops at Portsmouth away with Portsmouth accents. My Dad was a Geordie they are saying who joined the Royal Navy. “We get our tickets from household and mates within the NE.” Comparable tales at Fulham, Arsenal and different away days.
Brighton away and the track “we’ve an finish stuffed with Cockneys!” My son who has a powerful SE accent shouted “come on Newcastle” which initiated this track!!
Arsenal away thrice in a single season, seeing us lose within the league, league cup and FA cup!!
2019 I transfer to Helsinki, Finland. Even colder than the NE and once we say it’s Baltic I do know the place the saying comes from.
2019 onwards I proceed to go to the video games, primarily away matches. I fly from Helsinki to Heathrow after which onward journey to the matches. Six to eight matches a season I’d go to.
2021/ 2022 I purchase my son his first season ticket. He began a level course at Northumbria College and this was his reward. I used to be not sure whether or not to purchase two (one for him and one for me) however was in a position to have his seat subsequent to my family and friends so selected the one. Plus, I nonetheless didn’t need to give Ashley the cash.
October 2021 we’re taken over. My Newcastle daft son with the SE accent celebrates at St James’ Park with the plenty.
2022/ 2023 I proceed to go to matches each at St James’ Park and away matches, flying in from Helsinki.
Final match of the season at Chelsea away, celebrating the Champions League qualification. Assembly the Toon Navy at Fulham, Champions League music being performed by Toon followers with Tannoy!!
2023/ 2024 season. I’m deemed not a match and correct particular person to obtain a match ticket from my mates.
Gutted..
(ED: Similar to each different article, right here at The Magazine we select the title/headline that’s used, at instances going with the writer’s suggestion, different instances not. Clearly a ‘not’ on this event. The primary purpose for going with the above as an alternative, is as a result of this text brilliantly sums up a lot, notably with regard to the membership’s draconian response to Newcastle United away followers passing tickets on (at face worth) to the likes of Dave and others, for the perfect of causes. One thing which has helped guarantee Newcastle United are effectively supported when and wherever they’ve performed, yr after yr.)
